Headlines
- Young Inaugurated As Fourth President of A-B Tech
- A-B Tech Awards 526 Diplomas and Degrees
- A-B Tech Employees Recognized For Excellence in Public Service
- Transportation Technology Students Attend Career Day At The Races
- BCT Students Showcase Their Talents
- Engineering And Applied Technology Division Receives Grant For Alternate Energy
- Edible Garden Planted Next To Holly Library
- Foundation Scholarship Recipient Profiles
- Guadalajara Incubator Head Visits A-B Tech
- Huskins Students Share Talents
- Madison Huskins Students Perform Reader's Theater
- Criminal Justice Student Published in Academic Journal For Service-Learning Paper
- A-B Tech Student Named Miss North Carolina International
- Hematology Continuing Education Workshop Held
- Welcome, New Employees
- O'Brien Productions At Parkway Center
- A-B Tech Student Wins Marjorie Rawlings Scholarship
- Phi Theta Kappa Relay For Life Team Seeking Support
- Retired Nursing Instructor, Eileen Rowe, Dies
- Silvers Explores The Many Faces of India
- Smith-McDowell House Hosts 2008 Chautauqua Programs
- Incubator Shows Steady Growth
- A-B Tech Recognized by Together We Read
- 'VIP For A VIP' Program Highlights Vehicle Safety
- Tech Notes
Young Inaugurated As Fourth President of A-B Tech
Dr. Betty Young dons her robe prior to her inauguration ceremony May 2 in Ferguson Auditorium.
Dr. Betty K. Young was inaugurated as the fourth president of A-B Tech during a formal ceremony attended by staff, faculty, students, local dignitaries, and past and present colleagues of Young May 2 in the College's Ferguson Auditorium.
Young is the first woman to hold the position since A-B Tech was established in 1959. She assumed the presidency Sept. 1, 2007, succeeding K. Ray Bailey, who had been the chief executive officer since 1990.
Young outlined her vision for A-B Tech during her inauguration address, focusing on the next 50 years for the College. "There is an ocean of need in our community, there is a great sea of opportunity and we must be careful not to drown in either. That is why our vision, that promise of what we shall one day be, must be focused as we plan our future," she said.
Young's vision includes developing facilities to meet the growing student population and house new programs needed in the community, reconnecting with College alumni and their employers to build relationships that will sustain the College and enhance the lives of people in our community, and identifying and targeting new markets and packaging programs and delivery options, including online and accelerated learning formats, to meet the needs of a changing society.
Dr. Betty Young takes the Oath of Office from Trustee Chair Carol Peterson, while Young's daughter, Shoshanna Brooker, holds the family Bible.
As a 28-year-old single mother working two jobs in the Appalachian region of southern Ohio, Young enrolled in college to create a better life for herself and her young daughter. Her first degree - an associate in math and science - was followed by a bachelor of business administration, a master of education, and a doctorate in higher education. She also holds a law degree and is licensed to practice law in Ohio and West Virginia.
Young served as president of Northwest State Community College in Archbold, OH, for four years before coming to A-B Tech. During her tenure there, she received national attention for her role as a community college advocate when she rode her Harley-Davidson motorcycle from OH, to Burbank, CA, to educate Jay Leno about the value of two-year institutions after the Tonight Show host repeatedly made community colleges the target of his humor.
Young paid tribute to the many people who have supported her throughout her life-long learning journey. She recognized her mother, and had an empty chair placed for her father, who passed away three years ago. Young's aunt, Donna Tornes, was a strong influence and role model for her both spiritually and in her career.
President Emeritus Harvey Haynes bestows the presidential medallion on Dr. Betty Young during her inauguration ceremony.
Daughter Shoshanna held the family Bible while Young took the Oath of Office. Shoshanna was joined at the event by her husband, Jeff, and their daughter, Lakyn.
Young also had special words for her husband, George Gandor. "Thank you for your encouragement and support as I continued my education leading us to this stage today. Thank you for always being by my side and for not being fussy when someone introduces you as MR. Young," she said.
She also recognized her former colleagues from Washington State Community College, Franklin University and Northwest State Community College.
"I am not sure I would be in this business today if it were not for my former Dean Jack Ingram, who first invited me to become an adjunct professor teaching entrepreneurship at Washington State Community College. Jack passed away several years ago and I have asked for a chair to be placed in the front row today, hooded in his honor," Young said.
Guests enjoy the reception prepared by Hospitality Education faculty and students.
Ingram's wife, JoAnn, who happened to be Young's kindergarten teacher, was in attendance. "I was in her first class as she entered the teaching profession. She was the one who first heard me say 'I want to be a teacher someday just like you,'" Young said.
The ceremony, lead by Trustee Chair Carol Peterson, featured symbols crafted by men associated with A-B Tech. Asheville dentist and woodturner Michael Justice created the A-B Tech mace carried by Faculty Association President Marlene Roden. Justice is a long-time supporter of A-B Tech's dental programs.
"Our own Ken Czarnomski, the chair of the Construction Management Technology Department, built the holder for the mace," Peterson said. "The Presidential Medallion bestowed on Dr. Young was created by one of our students, Brett Salter, using technology learned at A-B Tech and with artistic assistance from his wife, Sharon Bailey."
Dr. Edward W. Holzapfel Jr., retired vice president of Washington State Community College in Marietta, OH, and retired vice president of Franklin University in Columbus, OH, who served as a mentor to Young, spoke during the ceremony with other academic leaders, including Dr. Thomas Stuckey, president of Northwest State Community College in Archbold, OH, and Dr. Scott Ralls, president of the North Carolina Community College System.
Dr. Young and Dr. Dennis King, Vice President of Student Services, join the cloggers at the inaugural dinner at The Crest Center Pavilion.
"She understands the connection between education and economic stability," Stuckey said. "She understands to be successful, you must give back to others."
U.S. Rep. Heath Shuler, Buncombe County Board of Commissioners Chair Nathan Ramsey, Asheville Mayor Terry Bellamy, A-B Tech Trustees Vice Chair David Wyatt of Madison County and A-B Tech Foundation Board Chair Joe Brumit spoke on behalf of community leaders.
Shuler recalled that Young visited his office days after assuming the presidency of A-B Tech. "I found out quickly she wasn't going to take 'no' for an answer," he said.
Campus representatives speaking were Roden, Dr. Deborah Harmon, director of Counseling, and Sabrina Boone, Student Government Association president.
"I instantly think of a new beginning, a chance to unlock opportunity," said Boone. "I've been honored to be a part of A-B Tech."
The ceremony also featured music from two of the College's Compensatory Education students Rob Powell and Bevin Wolcott, accompanied by instructor Sonia Brooks. They sang "This Land is Your Land" for the attendees. Business Computer Technologies instructor Jonathan Ross sang the National Anthem and "You Raise Me Up," accompanied by Community Service Programs Director Brinda Caldwell-Ramsey.
A-B Tech Awards 526 Diplomas and Degrees
Graduate Susie Jarman, an Early Childhood Education/Teacher Associate student, and her daughter, Sabrina Aikens, who earned a Medical Transcription diploma at commencement ceremonies May 16.
A-B Tech graduates were told to celebrate their accomplishments by UNC Asheville Chancellor Anne Ponder during spring commencement May 16 at Thomas Wolfe Auditorium. Ponder delivered the commencement address during the ceremony honoring 526 students who were candidates for degrees and diplomas. "Today is a time to celebrate. When I think of students who have accomplished goals, one of my favorites is a UNC Asheville graduate who had transferred from A-B Tech and then went on to achieve his baccalaureate degree in math from UNC Asheville," Ponder said. "He came to see me shortly before his graduation for some advice on choosing a grad school. He had been accepted into three different universities and I was congratulating him on that success. He said, 'Oh, just ask my faculty advisors and professors. I'm the best math major by far this year!' He is currently in grad school and is probably the best grad student in math by far at that university as well. Now that's accomplishment."
UNC Asheville Chancellor Anne Ponder delivers the commencement address during graduation in Thomas Wolfe Auditorium.
Ponder highlighted other accomplishments, including a graduate who left home at 15, was homeless at 16, and eventually found her way to A-B Tech, where she was consistently named to the President's List. Ponder also listed steps to success for the graduates, which included:
- Really want to achieve your goals
- Make a plan - a path to follow with action steps and deadlines
- Get help - from other people, books, internet resources, and your experience at A-B Tech.
- Review your progress from time to time and, if you come to a roadblock, figure out what is needed to overcome it and who can help you, and revise your plan.
- Keep going, even when the way is really hard, even when some of the steps are not very exciting, even after you've lost the thrill you had when you first started.
- And finally, make the last big push that it takes to make it to the top.
Dr. Betty Young, president, congratulates Kavari Ellingson on her Associate in Fine Arts degree during spring commencement exercises.
A-B Tech President Dr. Betty Young, presiding over her first commencement, recognized two employees chosen for honors by their peers, Marlene Roden and Leigh Mitchell. A Business Computer Technologies instructor in the Business and Hospitality Education Division, Roden is the College's Faculty Member of the Year. Mitchell, who teaches Photography, is Adjunct Faculty Member of the Year.
"Marlene comes from a long line of teachers, including her mom, her dad, her grandmother, and her aunt. Although she originally intended to pursue a different career, her appreciation for her own teachers caused her to rethink that decision," Young said. "We are glad she did."
A photography instructor at A-B Tech since 2003, Mitchell holds a bachelor of arts in Human Studies from Warren Wilson College and a master of arts in Studio Art from Western Carolina University. "Leigh says as an instructor, she works to create an environment that encourages creativity, high standards, mutual respect, and personal investment in one's work," Young said.
Graduate Susie Jarman, an Early Childhood Education/Teacher Associate student, was thrilled to graduate with her daughter, Sabrina Aikens, who earned a Medical Transcription diploma.
Jarman worked at Continental Teves in Asheville for 17 years before the company moved that operation to Mexico. She had the opportunity to transfer to the Hendersonville plant and keep her seniority and benefits, but heard many of her co-workers talking about going back to school, so she decided to further her education, rather than going to another plant.
When Jarman was in high school she worked at a day care for two summers, she loved it. "I had my daughter when I was so young," she said. "I was a single mom and I did what I had to do to provide for her and that meant working at plants." She enrolled at A-B Tech and considered taking business classes to assist her husband with his own business. "Just before the classes started, I decided not to," she said. "I knew I wanted to be a teacher assistant and I don't regret it. I've been a lot happier working with children. I just can't believe graduation is here and it's over."
Aikens may have been in a different program from her mother, but she still managed to be in classes with some of her mom's former co-workers. "It's been kind of neat," she said. Aikens will take one class over the summer and graduate again in the August ceremonies with a diploma in Medical Office Administration.
A-B Tech Employees Recognized For Excellence in Public Service
A-B Tech President Dr. Betty Young congratulates Glenna Gunter, secretary for the Allied Health and Public Service Division, on her win for Outstanding Administrative Support Employee in the Asheville-Buncombe Excellence in Public Service Awards. With them is Carol Hutchinson, Business Administration instructor, who received the Outstanding Professional Employee award.
Two individuals from A-B Tech were among the recipients of the 18th annual Asheville-Buncombe Excellence in Public Service Awards May 13 at UNC Asheville.
The Greater Asheville Public Service Council presented awards in 12 categories ranging from Outstanding Executive Manager to Heroic Act.
"The Excellence in Public Service Awards Program draws attention to the seldom known and often unrecognized accomplishments of our community's public servants," said Steering Committee Chair Kathy Hughes of Buncombe County Government. "Everyone nominated is an outstanding public servant and should be proud of their contributions to the health, well-being, and quality of life enjoyed by people in Asheville and Buncombe County."
Carol Hutchinson, Business Administration instructor, was the winner of the Outstanding Professional Employee Award. She encourages students to participate in Service-Learning, hoping it translates into community service after graduation. Hutchinson has successfully linked A-B Tech students to the community through sponsorship and supervision of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. A-B Tech students and other accounting and business professionals from the community provided tax assistance to more than 500 elderly and low-income individuals through VITA.
Glenna P. Gunter, secretary for the Allied Health and Public Service Division, has served on numerous committees for the College, including interviews and student evaluation of instruction. She anticipates problems that arise and takes the initiative to contact the necessary personnel to manage them before they become apparent to others. She accomplishes her responsibilities in a no-nonsense manner that does not attract attention. She is able to balance a large workload without any indication of stress and makes herself available to all faculty and staff.
The Outstanding Team award went to the HVAC Team at UNC Asheville, which included Mark Howell, an adjunct Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Technology instructor, and Kathleen Fowler, a student in the program.
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